November 11, 2022
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Shadow Minister for Cyber Security and Countering Foreign Interference James Paterson has welcomed the Australian Federal Police’s public disclosure of the origin of the Medibank hackers.
Senator Paterson said AFP Commissioner Reece Kershaw’s announcement that the Medibank hackers are believed to be operating from Russia is an important step forward in bringing those responsible to justice.
“Cybercriminals want to operate in the dark because they benefit from anonymity,” Senator Paterson said.
“The threat of having their identities revealed is a powerful deterrent for malicious online behaviour.
“While the harm inflicted by these hackers cannot be undone, today’s announcement brings them one step closer to justice.
“Importantly, it also opens up the possibility of sanctions under Australia’s Magnitsky sanctions regime passed by the Coalition,” Senator Paterson said.
The Autonomous Sanctions Amendment (Magnitsky-style and Other Thematic Sanctions) Bill 2021 passed with bipartisan support in December 2021.
The thematic sanctions regime enables the imposition of targeted financial sanctions and travel bans in response to serious human rights violations and abuses, serious corruption and, in a world first, significant cyber incidents.
“While Australia has yet to use Magnitsky sanctions against perpetrators of serious cyber attacks, this would be a prime candidate,” Senator Paterson said.
